Minutes_Human Rights Commission 01.13.26City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 1.
Copyrighted
March 2, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Minutes and Reports Submitted
SUMMARY: City Council Proceedings of February 16, 2026; Airport
Commission of December 2, 2025; Arts and Cultural Affairs
Advisory Commission of December 16, 2025; Cable TV
Commission of December 17, 2025; Civil Service
Commission of January 14 and February 11, 2026; Historic
Preservation Commission of January 15, 2026; Human
Rights Commission of January 13, 2026; Library Board of
Trustees Minutes and Update of December 18, 2025 and
Update of and January 22, 2026; Parks and Recreation
Commission of Janaury 21, 2026.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2 16 26 City Council Minutes
2. 26 01 14 Civil Service Minutes
3. 26 02 11 Civil Service Minutes
4. Library Board Council_Update_12-18
5. Library Board Council_Update_01-22
6. Historic Preservation Commission 01-15-26
7. January 13, 2026 Human Rights Commission Minutes
8. Parks and Recreation Minutes 1.21.26
9. Airport Commission Minutes of December 2 2025
10. Cable TV Commission Meeting Minutes
11. Arts Commission Minutes 12.16.25
12. Library Board of Trustees December Meeting Minutes
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Dubuque
THE CITY OF
DUB E
AI•AmMa City
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
January 13, 2026
DATE: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Multicultural Family Center, 1157 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
The meeting was called to order at 4:39 pm.
Commissioners Present: Jake Kurczek, Michaela Freiburger, Traci Phillipson, David Heiar,
Rick Baumhover, Matthew Zanger, Nikki Nutter, DeLano Cain Watson
Commissioners Excused: Luzelena Bravo
Commissioners Absent:
Staff Present: Ann Marie Jannette, Human Rights Specialist; Jason Lehman, Interim Chief
of Human Rights
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes as submitted from the December 9, 2025, meeting. Motioned
by Heiar, seconded by Baumhover, all in favor.
Public Input
Anthony Allen from the NAACP expressed a desire to reestablish a partnership with the
commission. Allen said that in the past, each Human Rights commissioner was attached to
an organization in the community. He would like to renew this between the Human Rights
Commission and the NAACP.
Reports
Caseload Report
• Complaints filed — number of complaints that were signed during the month
o December amount: 0
• Active investigations — investigations that are currently active but in various stages
(active, administrative review, initiated, on hold, etc.)
o December amount: 15
• Incidents in mediation — complaints currently in mediation
o December amount: 0
• Incidents in full hearing — complaints in full hearing process
o December amount: 0
• Inquiries — calls/inquiries that don't result in an official complaint being filed (including
outreach events)
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o December amount: 8
• Complaints closed during the month — signed complaints that were closed during the
month (doesn't include inquiries or complaints that were never filed)
o December amount: 0
• Total inquiries and complaints FY26 — signed complaints filed in FY26
o December amount: 58
Director's Report
Lehman reported that updates to the marketing flyers was underway and would hopefully
soon be complete. Jannette has been working on a resource list of organizations in the
community that assist with resident needs such as food, financial, and health assistance.
Chairperson's Report
Nothing to report.
Old Business:
Update on the Community Support and Empowerment Grant: Jannette reported that the
grant application period is currently open. One application has been received so far,
however other parties have requested information. Freiburger, Phillipson, and Baumhover
volunteered to be reviewers.
Update on hiring for Chief/Director: In -person interviews are taking place this week. They
hope to have a suggestion for the new director made next week with the job offer happening
the following week.
New Business:
Human Rights Commission handbook: Sections 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were updated and
new copies were handed out to commissioners. Heiar reported that for most sections
simple clarifications were made, no policy changes were made. Chapter 6 included
clarification and a new section on meeting conduct. Once a new director is hired, the
commission will go through all sections together. Freiburger motioned to approve the
changes in chapter 6, Phillipson seconded, all in favor.
Upcoming meetings for the Point Neighborhood Association: Baumhover provided a list of
upcoming dates the association will be meeting. It was discussed that once the new
marketing flyers were complete, the commission would discuss attending association
meetings throughout Dubuque.
List of partnerships: Kurczek sent a list of organizations to Jannette who is incorporating
them into the list of organizations she is working on.
Orange flags training: Per Lehman, there are no updates. He is hoping to put it on the
agenda for a near -future Leadership meeting.
Calendar discussion: Kurczek recommended we create a calendar of upcoming events
throughout the year so that they can be addressed by the commission ahead of time. It was
requested that this item be put on the agenda for next month. Kurczek to send Jannette a
list of possible calendar items.
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Iowa Legislature: Kurczek reported that it is a short legislative session in Iowa. It is 100
days instead of 110 days.
Cracker Barrel: Sessions take place in Dubuque the first Saturday of the month.
Upcoming Outreach Events
None.
Upcoming Cultural Events
None.
Reflections and Updates
Freiburger commented that the Rotary club is looking to facilitate discussions. They meet
every Tuesday at the Country Club. She invited other commissioners to join her at their
meetings.
Adjournment:
Motion to adjourn by Freiburger, seconded by Zanger. All in favor. The meeting ended at
6:00 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 4:30
p.m., at the Multicultural Family Center.
Minutes approved as submitted:
Minutes approved as corrected:
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